May 27, 2014

Branded Blog Tour: Interview (Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki)

Fifty years ago the Commander
came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven
deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are
branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.Now LUST wraps
around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I
didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.Darkness. Death.
Violence. Pain.Now every day is a
fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.The Hole can’t keep
me. The Hole can’t break me.I am more than my
brand. I’m a fighter.My name is Lexi
Hamilton, and this is my story.

Missy- I always enjoyed
writing, but it was more of an outlet for me until now. Abi & I used to
meet and talk about books we were reading, so when she talked about writing a
book, I said sure. Next thing we knew, Branded was complete and we were publishing
it! Very surreal.

3. Who would be your dream cast for
Branded?

Maybe Josh Hartnett as
Cole, a girl like Megan Fox for Lexi? I don’t know… just someone who’s younger,
and athletic, but not Hollywood skinny. Whatever dog plays Zeus better be
kickass!

4. What is one genre you would NEVER
be able to write? Missy- Probably NA

5. How does it feel to write a book
with another person? What are the pros and cons? This
is probably the most popular question people ask us. We have always talked
about & shared books we enjoyed. We’ve also been close friends since 1999,
so our friendship has already weathered a lot of changes. It was never really a
choice to co-author… it was just something we did because it worked. We both
have different strengths we bring to the table, and so capitalizing on those
strengths came easy. There are definitely bonuses too. We can critique each
other’s writing, we spur each other on with new ideas for scenes and
characters, and we get to share in the highs and lows of being writers.

As far as our process,
well, it’s so intertwined sometimes you can’t really tell who is writing what.
We both have ideas of scenes and sometimes we hand things off to each other
just because we know the other person might be able to write it better. Most of
the time though, everything you read has been touched by both of us. J

6. Did you have to research anything
while writing Branded? If so, what was the weirdest topic? Yes. Most of our research centered on how to write better,
honestly. Writing is a skill like playing a sport- you’ve got to constantly
sharpen your skills & practice at how you can make particular scenes
better. Other things we researched? Society building, weaponry, and some
medical aspects in the hospital.

7. What is one thing either of you
MUST have to write? Missy- I need complete quiet. I
don’t like distractions while I write. And I usually like writing during the
day too, but since my children don’t nap anymore, I’ve been making do writing
at nighttime.

8. Do you prefer a loud or quiet
environment while writing? Definitely quiet.

9. Do you prefer hardcover or
paperback? Missy- I prefer them both more than an
ebook. I have not read one ebook because there’s something about holding a book
in my hands. I like making it mine, underlining my favorite lines, folding over
the corners (yes, I do that), and rereading.

10. One day I want to ______ (what?)
Be full-time, stay at home, successful writers! J

About Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki:

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.